EPA finalizes ‘good neighbor’ rule to limit cross-state pollution from coal plants

THe Environmental Protection Agency Finalized new Regulations Clean Air Act: To limit downwind pollution from coal-fired power plant and other industrial facilities “good neighbor” provision.

The latest addition to the EPA’s Good Neighbor Rule is A line of regulations Biden administration has pushed for a crackdown on soot and nitrogen oxide from coal plants in order to improve air quality as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate changes.

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Electricity generators will need to adhere to stricter nitrogen oxide controls starting this year. Additional reductions will then be implemented over several years beginning in 2024. An official from the EPA stated that the new rule will allow generators to take part in a modified emissions trading programme to facilitate compliance.

“By and large, we have set the requirements so that will either see installation of NOx control equipment or full-time operation of that equipment where it’s already installed,” The official stated this to reporters.

The good neighbor rule This covers pollution from existing and new facilities across 23 states, including iron and steel mines. It also sets nitrogen oxide emission control requirements for those starting in 2026.

“This is also about fairness,” Michael Regan, Administrator of the EPA. “Some states have done all they can do to control ozone pollution, and their counterparts that are up-wind are being asked to do the same, to be respectful of those state boundaries and not push pollution across state boundaries.”

The EPA believes that the final rule will have significant public health benefits, preventing around 1,300 premature deaths and avoiding approximately 25,000 work days.

President Joe BidenBiden’s environmental agenda places greater emphasis on air quality. The administration of Biden seeks to eventually move the power sector towards the elimination of coal-fired electricity generation.

Some lawmakers and coal interests have warned that the good neighbor rule could lead to more coal retirements, further threatening grid reliability.

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Utilities Retire coal-fired power stations In large numbers due to various reasons, including the cost of updating regulations and aging stations, as well as the reduction in carbon emissions.

“The U.S. coal fleet continues to play an outsized role in providing dispatchable fuel diversity, fuel security and ramping up power supply during periods of surging demand when other sources of power cannot,” The National Mining Association released a statement. “EPA’s willful disregard of the repercussions of its decisions on Americans and on our energy future is plainly irresponsible.”